Kröger fifth in penultimate stage of Healthy Ageing Tour

April 7th, 2018

With three riders in the lead group in today´s finale of Healthy Ageing Tour, Team VIRTU Cycling Women were in the mix to win the 142 kilometer long stage 4 of the Dutch stage race.

Mieke Kroger, Barbara Guarischi and Emilie Moberg were all contenders to prevail in today´s sunny stage from Hogeland to Winsum and entering the final ten kilometres, attacks were launched non-stop from different riders in the group and especially, Kröger were on the move a number of times. Ultimately, five riders including Kröger created the crucial gap. Unfortunately, the German VIRTU Cycling rider had spent too much energy closing gaps in the finale in order to make the difference between her and her rivals and had to settle with 5th place.

DS, Carmen Small reacted this way after the stage:

“Naturally, we have to embrace the fact that the girls are in really good condition physically. Having three riders in the front group in a finale like this is a dream scenario for any team at this level. However, I´m rather disappointed about the outcome. Two riders in the top-10 is not satisfying when we could have won the stage or made it to the podium. There´s a final chance tomorrow and I think the guys are highly motivated to exchange today´s result with a better one”.

World champion, Chantal Blaak won the race by sprinting away from her opponents in the final 300 meters of the stage. Team VIRTU Cycling Women´s Barbara Guarischi were in the chase group and finished 8th. VIRTU Cycling retained the red jersey as Norwegian, Emilie Moberg took the jersey from teammate, Mieke Kröger.